Tsunami 1.26

Installation | 23 Sep — 23 Oct 2011

Pulsating high above George Street in the heart of the city, Tsunami is a gigantic aerial net installation by acclaimed American artist Janet Echelman.

This spectacular vision is one of the works from the Powerhouse Museum’s new Love Lace exhibition, and combines ancient craft practice with cutting-edge technology to create an oasis of sculpture delicate enough to be choreographed by the wind. Netted with a high tensile rope, 15 times stronger than steel, and lit by changing coloured lights, Tsunami is inspired by the events that unfolded following the 2010 Chile earthquake.

Using a 3D model of the 2010 tsunami, and software to create an outline of the model’s higher amplitude area, Echelman created her sculptural form, with machine-knotted mesh revealing the intricacy of traditional netting.

Janet Echelman is internationally recognised for her massive textile installations, and has previously exhibited expansive works over New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, Phoenix and Porto. Tsunami won the Built Environment category of the third Powerhouse Museum International Lace Award.